American Rescue Plan Education Funding Guide

The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund may be used to address the many impacts of COVID-19 on pre-K through 12th grade education.

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Elementary kids raising their kids in the classroom for the American Rescue Plan Education Funding Guide

How much funding is included?

  • $122 billion for K-12 schools, provided via the ESSER fund

  • $800 million reserved for providing services and assistance to homeless youth

  • $2.75 billion for non-public schools

  • $3 billion in additional FY21 funding toward Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

  • $7 billion to support the federal E-rate program via the Emergency Connectivity Fund

  • $39.6 billion for higher education institutions, provided via the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) fund

Any guidelines?
Local education agencies are required to set aside at least 20% of the funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions that respond to the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. Remaining funds may be used for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

Funding includes three state-level reservations for activities and interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs, and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on under-represented students.

Special funding reservations

5% of the total ARP ESSER allocation for the implementation of evidence-based interventions aimed specifically at addressing learning loss, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive after-school programs, or extended school year programs. 

1% of the total ARP ESSER allocation for summer enrichment programs. 

1% of the total ARP ESSER allocation for comprehensive after-school programs.

Tip:

The U.S. Department of Education identified the following under-represented subgroups in its American Rescue Plan Fact Sheet:

  • Students from each major racial and ethnic group

  • Children from low-income families

  • Children with disabilities

  • English learners

  • Migrant students

  • Students experiencing homelessness

  • Children and youth in foster care

How can districts use the funds?

Schools can use the funds for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the pandemic, including:

  • Purchasing educational technology, including hardware, software, connectivity, and adaptive equipment to support instruction

  • Investing in resources to ensure connectivity for students who are learning online, such as Wi-Fi hot spots and devices

  • Providing mental health services and supports to students and staff

  • Implementing summer learning, after-school, and other supplemental programs

  • Hiring additional school staff, including counselors, nurses, and custodial staff

  • Coordinating preparedness and response efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19

Can American Rescue Plan funds be used to purchase SpringMath?

Yes! SpringMath is an evidence-based math intervention program that is proven to decrease the performance gap and produce equitable achievement.

With SpringMath, educators can:

  • Assess students’ current skill level in five minutes (or less)
  • Review summarized results in an easy-to-read format
  • Access classwide and individual math interventions
  • Monitor progress and adapt support based on students’ needs

 

Sources: 
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/03/FINAL_ARP-ESSER-FACT-SHEET.pdf
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/05/ESSER.GEER_.FAQs_5.26.21_745AM_FINALb0cd6833f6f46e03ba2d97d30aff953260028045f9ef3b18ea602db4b32b1d99.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/arp/index.html
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-372069A1.pdf
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arp.html
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2021/04/ARP-ESSER-State-Plan-Template-04-20-2021_130PM.pdf

Ready to take the guesswork out of math intervention?

Take a quick peek at how you can with SpringMath.